Monday, November 12, 2012

We are writing to you after one of the most devastating storms in New York City’s
history. While most of our tenants were largely unaffected by the storm, those of you receiving this letter had to endure a lack of electricity, heat, hot water, and, in some cases, cold water as well. Many of you were lucky enough to have friends and family who could provide you with shelter during this time. Others were able to find hotel rooms. Some of our residents had nowhere to go aside from a city shelter. Regardless of your specific situation, we want to express our sympathy for all that you went through last week.

As we’re sure you know, all of your building superintendents remained onsite for the duration of the blackout. They did an amazing job making sure that the buildings remained secure and checking in on all of our tenants, especially those who are elderly or infirmed. They continued doing their jobs with a great attitude and exceeded our expectations in every way.

In addition to the supers, we know that many of you checked in on your neighbors during this time. Some of you even invited your neighbors over to your homes. Because of your empathy for others, you are helping to build real communities within your buildings. We thank you for your good humor and good spirits during a tough time.

While we recognize that there are plenty of people who are far worse off than you, we wanted to do our own small part to compensate you for the headache caused by the storm. On your December rent bill, you will see that we have abated your rent for the period of time that your building was without power. For 229 East 12th Street, 339-345 East 12th Street, 75-81 Orchard Street, and 101 Avenue D, your rent will be abated for 5 days. For 201-207 West 11th Street, your rent will be abated for 6 days.

We hope that you are all comfortably back in your homes and back to your normal routines. We also hope that all of your friends and family members are safe and sound.

Best regards,

Dermot Realty Management Company

Anyone else care to share how his or her landlord is handling the days without power? I've heard from a few tenants who said their landlord is doing something similar to the above. I've also heard from tenants who don't even think their landlord realized that there was a hurricane...

Meanwhile, Curbed has a handy, post-Sandy when-you-should-pay-rent guide right here.

8 comments:

Our landlord, who generally is pretty good and I think owns a few buildings in the area, never acknowledged the storm or the fact that we lost power for the week, but GRACIOUSLY extended the deadline for getting in our Nov. rent checks:

ATTENTION TENANTS

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU NEED TO PAY YOUR RENT BY THE 1ST DAY OF THE MONTH EVERY MONTH, REGARDLESS IF AN INVOICE IS PROVIDED TO YOU. WE GENERALLY GIVE A GRACE PERIOD OF 5 DAYS AND WILL GIVE UNTIL THE 10TH THIS MONTH DUE TO THE STORM AND THE POST OFFICE DELAYS IT CAUSED.HOWEVER, LATE FEES WILL BE ASSESSED FOR ALL RENTS RECEIVED AFTER THE 10TH THIS MONTH.

Stye Town /PCV management claims it will offer abatement for days without power, heat, elevator...any of "essential services" as they put it. The credit is supposed to appear on December or January rent bill. For my building it amounts to seven days. I'll believe it when I see it.

I just read my lease and it specifically states if the Owner is unable to provide (electrical/gas/heat) service due to a reason that's not the fault of the owner, then I am not entitled to an abatement...Maybe I have statutory rights that the contract can't negate?

If that's what your lease says, it doesn't sound like you are entitled to an abatement. As long as the landlord is showing a reasonable effort to get these services reconnected (even if it takes weeks), he is likely covered. Does anyone have apartment insurance? If anyone does, I am wondering if people with apartment insurance would be covered if they had to find other accommodations while the problems were being fixed? Would apartment insurance cover rent for another apartment or a hotel room?

If you had to evacuate and had no heat/hot water/electricity, the lease cannot override the Warrant of Habitability guaranteed in NY. Landlords always try and sneak terms into the lease designed to scare you - don't be.

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